150 inspired to 'Run for Jenny' at River Bank Run to spread special message

Courtesy PhotoThe "Running for Jenny" River Bank Run team has raised more than $11,000 to benefit outreach programs at Safe Haven Ministries.

GRAND RAPIDS, MI-- There were times this year when Kylene Dalton-Koons looked outside at falling rain and didn’t feel like heading out for a run.

But when she laced up her shoes to train for the Fifth Third River Bank Run, a face always settled in her memory: that of Jennifer Heeren—a relative of one of her close friends.

Heeren, 29, died last July after she was fatally shot by her husband, Rodrick Dantzler, days after she left him to cut off their relationship. Her daughter also was killed that day, along with several family members.

Dalton-Koons knows the faces of domestic violence. She works as a program director at Safe Haven Ministries and sees women each day who struggle through abuse. She hears of their battles.

But Heeren’s face touches her the most. The tragic end to her story is one Dalton-Koons can’t forget — and one she doesn’t want the greater Grand Rapids community to forget, either.

Jennifer Heeren

This Saturday, she will don a purple T-shirt in Heeren’s memory and take off on the River Bank Run’s 10K race with more than 150 others to “Run for Jenny.”

She started the team early this year under the umbrella of Safe Haven Ministries, where she works as a program director. Safe Haven offers help for women and operates a domestic violence shelter.

Dalton-Koons started a blog, “Running for Jenny,” and encouraged others to join her in this weekend’s event, fighting for freedom from domestic violence in Jennifer Heeren’s memory.

"Jenny lost her life and her family lost their lives,” Dalton-Koons said, speaking of a thought that motivated her through writing and training.

Said Safe Haven Director Jillaine Harkema: “We realize the women we serve here are at risk of that kind of thing happening … It breaks your heart.”

In just a few months, Dalton-Koons’ “Running for Jenny” team raised more than $11,000 to benefit Safe Haven’s programs and community outreach efforts. The amount far surpassed her initial $5,000 goal.

“I was blown away by the amount of support for the blog and project,” she said. “When we started this, we weren’t really sure how it would grow. Jenny Heeren really stands as a symbol for other victims who are going through this.”

As the team — including many of Jenny’s friends and family members — sets out on Grand Rapids streets this weekend, they’ll wear purple shirts in her honor. The shirts carry an important message: “love shouldn’t hurt.”

Safe Haven staff members think of the women and children affected by abusive relationships, each day—not knowing how to get out. Love isn’t about fear, they say.

“I think it’s going to be very powerful,” Harkema said of the message and group’s effort. “We’re very passionate about getting the word out.”

Look around for Dalton-Koons this weekend, and you’ll also see Renee Morris, her training partner over the last few months. The two are longtime friends, but Morris speaks now of how their friendship has grown as they’ve prepared for this weekend’s River Bank Run.

“When she seems like she’s got nothing left in the tank, she just keeps going,” Morris, 31, of Grand Rapids, said of her friend’s efforts to support the team. “I’m so proud of her.”

Dalton-Koons focuses on one thought — the women still out there suffering. Some may stop by or even take part in the race. She wants them to know they matter. And she wants them to feel loved.

“You’re not alone,” she says. “When you’re ready, there is help—here we are.”